David Sommeil Out

David Sommeil is out of action for around six weeks after fracturing a cheekbone in the 3-1 mauling of Aston Villa on Monday.

The news comes as a massive blow to the French defender as he spent last season on the treatment table. Sommeil had a clash of heads with Villa defender Samuel.

Pearce confirmed: 'David had surgery yesterday on a depressed fracture of the cheekbone.' Depressed fracture? Blimey, I'd be depressed if I was operated on following a game of football.

Pearce also applauds the players bravery for carrying on with the injury 'It was no surprise to me that he had got a depressed cheekbone, I'm delighted that he did not get another bang on it when he went back out on the pitch. He's had the surgery last night, I am waiting to hear from the medical people how that went and I will speak to David today and see if there is anything we can do for him. He can still train, once we get this first week out of the way we can maybe fit him up with a mask and he can come out and train. I feel a little bit sorry for him, because the performances he has put in for the reserves and in training deserved a call-up into the first team when the opportunity arose. Over these two games he is extremely unlucky to cop this injury and be out of the side now.'

Better news is that Dunne is near to a return from a knee injury after playing 45 minutes for the reserves this week.